Special report: SCATA 2007

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Dirk Van Doorn, DHL.

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Elias Monem, Agility.

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Sebastian K Thomas, Al-Futtaim.

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Ram C Menen, Emirates SkyCargo.

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Bulent Demirci, ACT Airlines.

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Ibrahim Karam, Dubai Cargo Village.

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Abdulla Bin Damithan, DP World.

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Capt Dan Hjalmarsson, GAC.

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Poul Woodall, Maersk Middle East.

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Kavi Kapila, Dubai Drydocks World.

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Melvin Francis and Arun Prasad, Psion Teklogix.

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Jan Farnelid, GAC.

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The biggest players in the Middle East's logistics industry recently gathered at Dubai's Fairmont Hotel for the inaugural Supply Chain and Transport Awards (SCATA).

The prestigious ceremony, held in association with the Material Handling Show, featured 16 categories in total, covering the entire spectrum of supply chain management. Awards included ‘Express Logistics Provider of the Year', ‘3PL Service Provider of the Year', ‘Logistics Manager of the Year' and ‘Outstanding Achievement of the Year.'

"The logistics industry in the Middle East has experienced monumental growth over the past year. The number of companies offering supply chain and transportation services is constantly increasing and the industry is striving for excellence on a daily basis," says Captain Mansoor Ghafoor, president of the National Association of Freight Logistics and member of the SCATA judging panel.

"As the logistics industry flourishes, we needed a premium event to bring the different players together and honour the achievements of those pushing boundaries and moving the industry towards even greater heights. The SCATA awards have filled this void and the inaugural ceremony has proved an overwhelming success," he adds.

In total, approximately 250 individuals attended the awards ceremony, which was organised by ITP, the leading publisher of magazines such as Logistics Middle East, Air Cargo Middle East & India, and Sea Freight Middle East.

"ITP's transportation titles are considered a strong voice for the logistics industry and with the SCATA ceremony, the industry has received deserved recognition for achievers across the board," says Michael Proffitt, chief executive officer, Dubai Logistics City and member of the SCATA judging panel.

"The Middle East is a dynamic market and the annual SCATA awards will ensure that the industry will continue to follow a path of excellence and continued growth," he adds.

One of the biggest winners of the night was undoubtedly Gulf Agency Company (GAC), which received honours in the ‘Shipping Agent of the Year' and ‘Outstanding Contribution to Training' categories. The regional powerhouse DP World also marked a successful year by winning the awards for ‘Port Authority and Terminal Operator of the Year' and ‘Outstanding Achievement'. Other winners at the SCATA ceremony included DHL, Agility, Dubai Cargo Village, Emirates SkyCargo, Jebel Ali Free Zone and Psion Teklogix.

Logistics winners

Express Logistics Provider of the Year
Winner: DHL Middle East

"DHL is very proud to receive SCATA's Express Logistics Provider of the Year award," says Dirk van Doorn, commercial manager for DHL's express freight and logistics in the UAE. "These awards are vital for the logistics industry in the Middle East and we support them 100%. It's been a fantastic year for DHL Middle East and winning this trophy endorses our achievements and success in pushing the boundaries of supply chain solutions. In addition, our entire team felt the SCATA ceremony was extremely well organised and we are already planning our entry for next year's ceremony."

3PL Service Provider of the Year
Winner: Agility

"Agility has experienced a stellar year, especially with the rebranding of the company from the previous PWC Logistics brand," says Elias Monem, chief executive officer for Agility in the Middle East and Africa. "It's a great honour to receive the SCATA award for 3PL Service Provider of the Year, especially because of judging panel consisted of some of the most respected names from the logistics industry. It was a close call, because the competition was extremely tough and included all of the major 3PL players in the Middle East. This recognition is therefore excellent for Agility and allows us to showcase our achievements to existing and future customers."

Logistics Manager of the Year
Winner: Sebastian Thomas (Al-Futtaim Retail Division)

"I would like to thank ITP Business and the entire team on Logistics Middle East magazine for the initiative shown in organising the SCATA awards," says Sebastian Thomas, logistics manager, Al-Futtaim Retail Division. "These awards offer a fantastic opportunity to recognise and support the achievements of the logistics industry in the Middle East. Receiving the Logistics Manager of the Year award has been one of the greatest achievements I have gained during my eighteen years in the industry. I truly believe the SCATA ceremony was a memorable and exciting night and this award has motivated me to push for greater excellence in the future too."

Air Cargo Winners

Cargo Operator of the Year (Commercial Airline)
Winner: Emirates SkyCargo

"Awards are probably the best motivator for improvement. To be recognised during the inaugural SCATA ceremony proves Emirates SkyCargo is working on the right track. Its our pleasure to receive the Cargo Operator of the Year - Commercial Airline award," says Ram Menen, divisional senior vice president Cargo, Emirates. "If you look at our track record in the market during the past 21 years, we have grown alongside the development of the industry. This business is very much about partnership, whether it's with freight forwarders or airports, or even the city and the region itself, so its great to have awards such as SCATA that bring the community together to celebrate its achievements."

Cargo Operator of the Year (Cargo Airline)
Winner: ACT Airlines

"It is great news for ACT Airlines to receive the SCATA award for Cargo Operator of the Year - Cargo Airline. It proves how far this company has come in such a short space of time," says Bulent Demirci, executive VP at ACT Airlines. "We formed in 2004 and only increased our fleet last year, from one aircraft to seven. Along with the expansion of the fleet, the quality of service has improved during the last year as we started working with UPS, Gulf Air and the UK Ministry of Defence. ACT has also begun investing in maintenance, which means the quality is set to improve again as we initiate plans to expand the fleet to 20 aircraft by 2012. This award reflects our achievements so far and fills us with hope for the future."

Air Cargo Hub of the Year
Winner: Dubai Cargo Village

"It's a delight for the entire Dubai Cargo Village team to receive the SCATA award for Air Cargo Hub of the Year," says Ali Al Jalaf, vice president, Dubai Cargo Village. "In fact, this is the third award we have received this year, which clearly highlights the importance of our hub terminal. We are currently ranked 13th in the world and I think we deserve this SCATA award for being very active in the Middle East over the recent years. The developments currently underway at the cargo village will make it even more spacious, provide for more cargo and therefore promote the development of the air cargo sector in Dubai in general. We want to make Dubai the best hub in the world and this award proves we are on the right path."

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READERS' COMMENTS

SCATA inDubai to Arabian Business Award in KSA
Posted by Prof Philbert Suresh, Hawally, Kuwait on Tuesday 12 June 2007 at 10:39 UAE time

Looks the name and recognition is an underlying factor for success of ITP and its operations in the GCC. What about the unsung heroes and people at the backstage?

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